In our Advancing Mining blog, we addressed the role of analytical techniques capable of characterizing the extensional properties of low viscous polymer solutions in improving polymer flooding effectiveness for enhanced oil recovery. In polymer flooding, polymers are used to increase the viscosity of the injection fluid to help push the oil towards the production well. However, the polymers used for flooding have to be selected or even tailored to perform effectively under the conditions of the individual oil deposit. For example, issues such as shear thickening due to extensional effects can cause polymer solutions to show an increase in viscosity above a characteristic flow rate, influencing the effectiveness of polymer solutions. In the following articles, you can:
- read how extensional rheometers for low viscous fluids are able to test the elongational behavior of even low viscous liquids like polymer flooding solutions.
- review the specifics of the experiment that was done to show that with a specific extension rheometer, it is possible to test the elongational behaviour of even low viscous liquids like the flooding solutions.
-
download the test details, including charts, plots, and specific instrument used, laid out in the application note Enhanced Oil Recovery and Elongational Flow.
The bottom line: extensional rheometers are able to test the elongational behavior of even low viscous liquids like polymer flooding solutions, and can have an effect on the total oil recovery.
Leave a Reply